Method of and machine for homogenizing liquids



J. M. COLONY METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS Filed July18, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORLI r'rdRA/EY Aug. 25, 1925. 1,550,882

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J. M. COLONY METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS Filed July18, 192:: 2 Sheath-Shut 2 o s, w

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IQ. (U I r "I/g E1 ATTORNEY IWIII- a.

l atented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES trait:

JOHN M. COLONY, OF NEWTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. COLONY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newton Center, in the county of Middlesex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in a Method of and Machinefor Homogenizing Liquids, of which the following description, inconnection with the accompanying drawings, is a specificalo tion likecharacters on the drawings repre senting like parts.

This invention relates to a method of and a machine for homogenizingliquids.

One of the objects of the invention is to successively and repeatedlyhomogenize while subjected to an original pressure, whereby the liquidis forced successively through homogenizing treatments.

In accordance with the method of the present invention the liquid to behomo enized is subjected to an original pressure by any suitable means,and while under the original pressure is homogenized succes sively, thatis the liquid is first hOIllOgGIliZBri and then while still subjected tothe origina pressure is further homogenized whereby thg liquid isfinally brought into the desire viscosed condition. In carrying out themethod of the present invention various types of mechanism may beemployed, but a novel and effective apparatus for carrying out themethod has been devised so that by the operation of the one concretemechanism the successive homogenizing treatments of the liquid issecured and the final product given 1ts desired viscosity.

The various features and novel characteristics of the invention willbest be made clear from the followingdescription and accompanyingdrawings of one good practical form of the mechanism containing novelfeatures for carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a. machine containing the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the machine represented inFig. 1, showing more particularly the liquid pressure means and thevalve controlling devices.

Fi 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

In accordance with the present invention Application filed July 18,1923. Serial No. 652,425.

the liquid to be homogenized is subjected to an original or initialpressure, and while still under the influence of such pressure it issuccessively and repeatedly homogenized. 1n the machine whichconstitutes an important feature of the present invention, the liquid tobe homo enized is subjected to an original pressure by means of a pumconstructed and arranged to draw the liqui from a source of supply andforce it through the successive homogenizing devices or valves, but sofar as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned, the originalor initial pressure may be exerted upon the liquid by any suitablemeans, although the machine of the present invention is especially wellfitted and organized to carry out the method through the novel meanscontained in the mechanism.

The operating parts of the machine are shown as supported upon asuitable stand or frame-work 10 upon which is mounted a pump 11preferably havin three plunger pistons 12 which extend through suitablestufling-boxes 13 into the chambers 14. The pistons or plungers 12 areeach secured to a cross-head 15 which slide in the guides 16 and areoperated by the connecting rods 17 through the eccentrics 18 mounted ona transverse shaft 19. The shaft 19 may be operated from an suitablesource and is shown as provided with a toothed-wheel or gear 20 whichmeshes with a pinion 21 mounted on shaft 22 journalled on the machineframe. The shaft 22, as shown has secured thereto the band pulley 23which is driven by an electric motor 24; conveniently supported upon astand 25. The motor shaft 26 is provided with a small band pulley 27 andabout the pulleys 27 and 23 the driving band 28 passes, the constructionbeing such that upon rotation of the shaft 26, either through the motoror other operating means, the pump shaft 19 will be rotated to causeactuation of the pump.

The liquid to be homogenized may be delivered to the pump from asuitable source of supply through the conduits 29 and 30, the latter ofwhlch extends transversely to and may be conveniently formed as part ofthe casing 31.

Connecting the conduit 30 with each of the chambers 14 of the pumpplungers or pistons, is a port or opening 30 in which is seated a valve32 opening upwardly, the construction being such that on each retreatingmovement of the pump plungers or pistons, the valves 32 will be liftedand liquid drawn from the source of supply into the chambers 14.

Communicating with each of the chambers 14 is an upwardly extendingconduit or chamber 33 in each of which is mounted a valve 34 which opensupwardly under the pressure upon the liquid exerted by the ump. Thechambers 33, as indicated in ig. 3, communicate above the valves 34through the conduits or openings 35 which are shown as formed in themachine casing by a drillhole extending entirely through the casing andclosed at its outer ends by the closing blocks 36. The liquid to be!homogenized is directed from the conduit or chambers 33 to a singleconduit or opening 37, and from this point the liquid is delivered tothe first of the homogenizing valves.

The pumping mechanism and its various details of construction asdescribed constitutes a good form of means for delivering the liquidfrom a. source of supply and delivering it under pressure to thehomogenizing valves, the latter of which and their relation andconnection, constitute an important feature of the present invention.

In the form of the invention shown a metal casing 38 is provided with aflange 39 which is secured to the face of the casing 31 over the conduitor port 37 by bolts 40, so that the opening in the casing 38 maycommunicate with the conduit or port 37 when the valve, to be described,is opened by liquid pressure.

The homogenizing valves may be variously contrived, the essentials beingthat liquid forced through one of the valves and homogenized therebyshall be further delivered to one or more other homogenizing valves forsuccessively subjecting the liquidto homogenizing treatments while underthe original pressure.

In the form of the homogenizing valve shown as directly communicatingwith the port or conduit 37, a valve seat 41 is mounted in a pocketformed partly in the casing 31 and partly in the casing 38, and has aseat against which normally I'uSlIS the valve 42 mounted for bodilymovement towards and from its seat. The valve 42 is shown as formedcylindrical and preferably has extending therefrom a central guidemember 43 provided with radial flanges which fit the opening in the seat41, the construction being such that the guide member 43 directs thevalve 42 in its opening and closing movements. In order that the seat 41may be liquid tight between the casing 31 and 38 suitable gaskets orwashers 44 are provided between the lateral flanges of the valve seatand the adjoining surfaces of the casing 31 and 38, as more clearlyindicated in Fig, 4.

Extending through the casing 38 is a valve seating plunger or member 45capable of longitudinal movement in the casing and stufiing-box 46.

The rod or plunger 45 normally bears upon the valve 42 and by movementlongitudinally the rod 45 may control the opening of the valve. Thecontrolling means for the rod or plunger 45 may be variously formed andadjusted to regulate the valve opening, but in the present instance ofthe invention as shown the rod or plunger 45 is normally urged in thedirection of the valve 42 by a heavy spring 47, one end of which bearsupon a collar 45 secured to the rod 45 outside the casing, and the otherend of which bears upon a ball thrust bearing 48 which is mounted uponan adjusting screw 49 threaded in an opening in the yoke 50, andprovided with a hand wheel 51, whereby the tension of the spring 47 maybe adjusted to exert more or less pressure upon the valve 42. A lightspring 52 is interposed between the collar 45 and the stufiing-box orcasing 38, so that when the tension of the heavy spring 47 is removedthe rod or plunger 45 will be moved longitudinally in a direction awayfrom the valve seat. The construction and arrangement of parts is suchthat the screw 49 may be adj usted to hold the valve 42 yieldinglyagainst its seat, in the present instance, with any desired degree ofpressure, and consequently homogenizing action of the valve 42 may beregulated at will.

Communicating with the valve chamber of the first homogenizing valve 42is a conduit or chamber 57 which may be conveniently formed in a casing58 extending from the casing 38, as indicated in Fig. 4, andcommunicating with the conduit or chamber 57 is an opening or port 59for delivering the liquid homogenized by the valve 42 to a secondhomogenizing valve, whereby the liquid homogenized by the first valveand while still under the influence of the initial pressure may befurther homogenized and given its desired viscosity.

The second homogenizing valve, to which reference has been made, may, ifdesired, be of substantially the same construction as the homogenizingvalve already described, and in the present instance the secondhomogenizing valve comprises a valve seat 54 and a valve having groundcontacting surfaces which are normally held in contact by the rod orplunger 53 having a collar between which and the ball thrust bearing ingopening of each valve may be regulated and adjusted at will. While it ispreferable to employ a valve which is yieldingly held to its seat asdescribed, the invention is not necessarily restricted in this respectbecause in the broad conception of the in- *vention it is suflicient ifthe homogenizing valves are constructed and arranged for adjustment toregulate the opening for the passage of the liquid and shall actsuccessively to homogenize th liquid under the original pressure.

The invention as herein shown comprises two homogenizing valves, relatedas described for repeatedly and successively acting upon the liquidwhile subject to the original pressure, but any desired number of suchvalves may be employed within the scope of the present invention.

From the construction described as one good practical form of machinefor carrying out the method of the present invention it will be apparentthat the liquid to be homogenized is subjected to an initial or originalpressure, and while under the action of such pressure the liquid isfirst homogenized by one valve and then without release of the originalpressure the already homogenized liquid is subjected to the homogenizingaction of a second valve whereby the desired viscosity or character ofthe final product may be secured.

Where two homogenizing valves are employed as shown, the final productmay be delivered from the second homogenizing valve through a conduit ordischarge 60.

In order that the adjustment of the homogenizing valves may be regulatedin accordance with the initial or original pressure it is desirable thatthe original or initial 7 pressure be known, and also that the presandthen repeated sure on the liquid homogenized by the first valve may bereadily ascertained for regulating the pressure of the second valve. Tothis end the chamber or conduits 33 into which the liquid is dischargedunder pressure by the pump, is provided with a registering gauge 61, andsimilarly the casing or extension 58 leading to the second valve isprovided with a gauge 62, so that by inspection of the liquid pressureregistered by each gauge, the machine attendant may readily adjust thetwo homogenizing valves.

Vhat is claimed is:

y iomogenizing the liquid under the action of the initial pressure butwith independently 0perated means.

2. The method of homogenizing liquids which consists in subjecting theliquid to an initial pressure, forcing it through a homogenizing memberby the action of the original pressure, maintaining the homogenizedliquid under pressure and while so maintamed forcing the liquid throughanother and independent homogenizing member by the same pressureexerting means.

' 3. The method of homogenizing liquids which consists in subjecting theli uid to an initial pressure and then repeated y homogenizing theliquid under the action of the initial pressure against a yielding backpressure, the yielding back pressure in the several homogenizationsbeing independently controlled.

4. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, the combination of means forexerting pressure upon the liquid, and two independent homogenizingvalves, through which the liquid is successively forced by the pressureexerting means.

5. In a machine for repeatedly homogenizing a liquid, the combinationofmeans for exerting pressure upon the liquid, two independenthomogenizing valves, means for adjusting each valve independent of theother, and a connection between the valves for delivering liquidhomogenized by one valve for the homogenizing action of the other valve.

6. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, the combination of means forexerting pressure upon the liquid, and two independently yieldinghomogenizing valves through which the liquid is successively forced bythe pressure exerting means.

7. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, means for exerting pressureupon the liquid, two independent homogenizing valves through which theliquid is forced by the pressure exerting means, and a conduit betweenthe valves for delivering the liquid homogenized by one valve to theother valve under the action of the pressure exerting means.

8. 'In a machine for repeatedly homo enizing liquids, the combination ofmeans %or exerting pressure upon the liquid, a homogenizing valve, meansfor yieldingly adjusting the valve to vary the homogenizing actionthereof, a. conduit to receive the liquid homogenized by said valve, asecond homogenizing valve connecting with said conduit and means foradjusting the homogenizing action of the second valve independent of thefirst valve.

9. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, the combination of means forexerting pressure upon the liquid, two independent homogenizing valvesthrough which the liquid is successively forced by the pressure exertingmeans, and means for indicating the pressure of the liquid delivered toeach valve.

10. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, a homogenizing valve, asecond homogenizing valve, means for independently adjusting the valves,a communication between said valves for receiving the liquid homogenizedby the first valve, and means for delivering the liquid under sufficientpressure to force it successively through both valves.

11. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, a yielding homogenizingvalve, a second yielding homogenizing valve, means for varying theyielding pressure of each valve, a communication between said valves,and means for delivering the liquid'to the first valve under sufiicientpressure to force it successively through both valves.

12. In a machine for homogenizing liquids by repeated action thereon,the combination of a pressure chamber, a second pressure chamber, ahomogenizing valve between the two chambers, an independent homogenizingvalve communicating with the second chamber, and means for exertingpressure on the liquid to force it through both chambers and the twoindependent homogenizing valves.

13. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, a pressure chamber, a secondpressure chamber, a yielding homogenizing valve between said chambers,means for forcing the liquid into the first chamber to force it throughthe valve into the second chamber, a second yielding homogenizing valveleading from the second chamber and through which the liquid is forcedby the pressure within the second chamber, means for varying theyielding pressure of each valve, and pressure indicators for indicatingthe pressure within said chambers.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN M. COLONY,

